URPoint Details
A border town where you can still examine the ‘Offa’s Dyke earthworks, was a defence wall which the King of Mercia built to keep out the Welsh.
The footpath along the dyke stretches for 168 miles from Prestatyn to Chepstow.
Kington is one of five market towns in Herefordshire and was named after Edward the Confessor.
The original town lay on the hill above the present-day main street.
The church of St Mary indicates the old centre, and close by is the Lady Hawkins Grammar School, founded in 1632 by the second wife of Sir John Hawkins, the Elizabethan sailor.
Near the church, Ridgebourne Lane leads up to the famous gardens of Hergest Croft, open from Easter to October.
The more energetic can continue up this lane (part of Offa\'s Dyke long distant path), until it reaches a gate leading on to Hergest Ridge from which there are superb views.
- Type:
- Landmark